Why Flea and Tick Prevention Is Important Speak to your veterinarian about what additional steps you should take to treat the problem and prevent it from returning. Vacuum your carpets (remember to remove the bag afterward) and clean all bedding your pet has used as well as any chairs with padding. The rest are in various stages of the life cycle and can be found outdoors or in your home. Of the flea population, only 5 percent includes adult fleas on pets, Grognet says. “This complete rinse after a shampoo is one of the most important aspects of any bath, and is often hurried in many cases.”Ĭonsult with your veterinarian before using any product on your dog, especially if she’s pregnant or nursing.įlea comb: As an alternative to medications (or for pups younger than four weeks), Grognet recommends using a flea comb to check your puppy for the presence of fleas and safely remove them.Ĭlean the home: Depending on the severity of the infestation, it may be necessary to also treat your home to ensure flea eggs and larvae don’t grow to reinfest your puppy later. “Many times the rinsing should take longer than the lathering,” Klein says. If you do use this method, Jerry Klein, AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer, advises being thorough when rinsing. “It strips out the dog’s natural oils and does not kill fleas,” he says. Some experts swear by bathing a flea-infested pregnant dog or young puppy in Dawn dish detergent, but Grognet is wary of this method. Grognet also points out that some flea shampoos can be beneficial for nursing dogs because it will prevent exposing the puppies to the chemicals, which are washed off with the shampoo. Speak with your veterinarian about this option. Seresto is effective against fleas and ticks for up to 8 months and can be used on a dog as young as 7 weeks old. This product may be useful at stopping flea larvae from molting. There is an exception: The Seresto collar is designed to slowly release its active chemicals (imidacloprid and flumethrin). *Dog friendly rental filter applied to resultsįlea shampoos & collars: Most veterinarians do not recommend flea shampoos or collars for puppies or adult dogs because they are not very effective, Grognet says. Always speak to your veterinarian before offering your puppy or dog a new medication to ensure it is safe for your dog to take and to confirm dosage. Because its active ingredient (nitenpyram) works for only 24 hours, it is not effective as a preventive medication. This medication is given in a tablet form to treat flea infestations. What to Do If Your Puppy or Dog Has Fleasįlea treatment: According to veterinarian and AKC Family Dog columnist Jeff Grognet, Capstar is safe to give to puppies as young as four weeks old (and a minimum of 2 pounds). Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a flea and tick preventative for puppies to safely use, and advise you on when it’s safe to begin administering it to your puppy. Most flea and tick products for puppies are not safe to use until they’ve reached at least seven or eight weeks of age (see chart below). Add flea and tick puppy prevention to your checklist, along with required and recommended vaccinations for your puppy, the socialization process, and initiating a regimen of quality preventive care, including heartworm preventatives. Flea and tick protection for puppies is a critical part of that. After you’ve welcomed a new puppy into your home, it’s important to ensure you’re setting your puppy up for a long and happy life.

Does the capster prevent fleas